Legalisation of documents from Panama for use in the Netherlands
To use a document from Panama in the Netherlands, you must first have it legalised by the Panamanian authorities. This is done with an apostille. This is a simplified form of legalisation which allows you to use your documents in the Netherlands.
Good to know
- Documents in Spanish must be translated for use in the Netherlands.
- Your document must be original and complete. If it refers to other documents or annexes, these must be included.
Legalisation of documents in Spanish is a two-step process.
Step 1: Having your document translated
If your document is in Spanish, you must have it translated into Dutch, English, French or German by a sworn translator.
- Have the document translated by a sworn translator.
- Have the original and the translation legalised with an apostille.
Go to step 2.
- Have the original document legalised with an apostille in Panama.
- Have the legalised document translated by a sworn translator in the Netherlands. You do not need to have the translation legalised. You can find a sworn translator on the Legal Aid Council website.
Go to step 2.
Your document was issued in Spanish by the Panamanian consulate in Oranjestad (Aruba) or Willemstad (Curaçao):
- Have the document translated into Dutch, English, French or German by a sworn translator.
- If you have the document translated by a sworn translator in Aruba or Curaçao, have the translation legalised.
- If you have the document translated by a sworn translator in the Netherlands, you do not need to have the translation legalised. You can find a sworn translator on the Legal Aid Council website.
Go to step 2.
Step 2: Legalisation of your document
Have your document and, if applicable, the translation legalised with an apostille.
You can get an apostille from the Panamanian authorities. See the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) website for contact details.
Once your document has been legalised it is fit for use in the Netherlands.
It is then also fit for use in Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and St Eustatius.
Your document was issued by the consulate of Panama in Oranjestad (Aruba):
- Have the document and, if applicable, the translation legalised by the Department of Legislation and Legal Affairs (DWJZ) in Oranjestad.
Your document was issued by the Panamanian consulate in Willemstad (Curaçao):
- Have the document and, if applicable, the translation legalised by the Foreign Relations Department (DBB) in Willemstad.
Once your document has been legalised it is fit for use in the Netherlands.
It is then also fit for use in Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and St Eustatius.
Don’t have the document you need?
Find out below where to obtain a document that you need but do not yet have.
You can get civil status records from the civil registry (registro civil) in Panama City.
You can request official copies of:
- birth certificates
- marriage certificates
- divorce certificates
- death certificates
You can get a certificate of unmarried status from the civil registry (registro civil) in Panama City.
If you need another type of document, ask the local authorities where you can get this document.
Help with obtaining documents and having them legalised
The Consular Service Centre can assist Dutch nationals with obtaining documents and having them legalised in Panama.
After legalisation
Verification of your document in the Netherlands
Legalisation does not prove the authenticity of a document or the truthfulness of its content. A municipality in the Netherlands, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) or another authority may decide to verify these things. Legalisation of your document simply means that your document bears the correct signature.
How recently must your document have been issued or legalised
Organisations have different requirements for how recently your document must have been issued and legalised. For more information, contact the organisation in the Netherlands requesting the document.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
More about legalisation
- What is legalisation?
- Converting foreign official documents into Dutch official documents
- What is legalisation by apostille?
- Countries that are party to the Apostille Convention
- Countries where the Consular Service Centre can assist with obtaining documents and having them legalised
- Help with obtaining documents and having them legalised